March 2001

Government of the Northwest Territories
Canadian Heritage Rivers

Arctic Red River (Tsiigehnjik)

The rich valley of the Arctic Red River, designated in 1993, is the traditional hunting area for Gwichya Gwich'in. Its valley, framed by high mountains, provides rich habitat for Dall's sheep, caribou, grizzly bear and peregrine falcons. There are stands of 700 year old white spruce and significant archaeological and cultural resources along the Arctic Red River. At its confluence with the Mackenzie is the community of Tsiigehtchic.

The land adjacent to the whole length of the Arctic Red has been identified as a Special Management Area in the NWT Protected Area Strategy (PAS) and the Gwich'in Land Use Plan. Within the framework of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System and the PAS, additional protection of the Arctic Red River area will likely progress over the next several years.

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